The IntraLase Method is a 100% blade-free technique used to perform the critical first step in the LASIK procedure: creating the corneal flap. The creation of the corneal flap prepares the eye for the second step of the LASIK procedure, where an excimer laser is used on the inner cornea to correct vision.

The microkeratome is a hand-held instrument, which contains a steel blade that moves back and forth and creates a cut as it travels across the cornea. A microkeratome is only capable of making a single, one-dimensional cut across the cornea. As it cuts, the blade oscillates back and forth, which can leave an irregular surface after the flap is lifted. This can affect the quality of your postoperative vision.

Because of the unique way in which the IntraLase Method creates a precisely positioned layer of bubbles just beneath the surface of your eye, it creates a smooth even surface after your flap is lifted. With the IntraLase Method, a blade never touches your eye.

These procedures differ from one another in the way they prepare the surface of the cornea for the second step of LASIK. Epi-LASIK uses an epikeratome-a blunt separator-to make a superficial flap. Similarly, photo-refractive keratectomy (PRK) is performed by gently scraping the surface layer of the cornea, which may lead to corneal scarring. Both the Epi-LASIK and PRK procedures can be painful and require more postoperative medication. In addition, healing times may be longer than with procedures performed with the IntraLase Method.

Are there other benefits to using the IntraLase Method?

There are several benefits to using the IntraLase Method:

• Better vision. More patients in clinical trials achieved vision that was 20/20 or better when their LASIK procedure was performed with the IntraLase Method. And patients report better quality of vision overall, particularly in terms of their ability to see well in low light such as at dusk or at night.
• Ability to tailor the procedure to your eye. The IntraLase Method gives your doctor the ability to tailor the dimensions of your corneal flap based on what’s best for your eye. Everything from the diameter of your flap to the angle of its edges can be precisely determined. This is important because everyone’s eyes are shaped a little differently. Having a corneal flap that’s individualized to the patient contributes to excellent postoperative outcomes. In addition, a corneal flap created with the IntraLase Method also “locks” back into position after the LASIK procedure is performed.

This part of the process is not painful-patients report feeling only slight pressure.

More than 600,000 procedures have been performed safely and effectively using the IntraLase Method.

The creation of the flap itself takes only about 15-30 seconds per eye. Including preparation time, the entire LASIK procedure takes about 10 minutes.

In a clinical survey of LASIK patients who had their corneal flaps created using a microkeratome in one eye and the IntraLase Method in the other, the vision in the IntraLase-treated eye was preferred 3-to-1 (among those who stated a preference.

If you are looking for a 100% blade-free LASIK experience that virtually eliminates almost all the most severe, sight-threatening complications, the answer is yes. But to get this procedure, you have to ask your physician for the IntraLase Method™ by name.

Instead of using a blade, the Intralase Method uses tiny, rapid pulses of laser light to create the corneal flap.

Each pulse of light passes harmlessly through the Cornea and forms a microscopic bubble at a specific depth and position within your eye that is determined by the doctor. The Intralase laser moves back and forth across the eye creating a uniform layer of bubbles just beneath the corneal surface. The Intralase flap creation process takes about 15-30 seconds.

Just prior to LASIK surgery, the doctor creates the corneal flap by gently separating the tissue where the bubbles have formed. The corneal flap is then folded back so the doctor can perform the LASIK surgery.

When the LASIK procedure is complete, the flap created using the Intralase Method is uniquely able to lock back into place.

The biggest difference is that more patients achieved vision that is 20/20 or better when their LASIK procedure is performed with the Intralase Method as it the most advanced technology available-and the first bladefree way to create a corneal flap sides. Patients also report better quality of vision overall, particularly in terms of their ability to see well in low light such as dusk or at night. The reason for this lies in the way Intralase works. Prior to the IntraLase Method, doctors relied on an instrument called a microkeratome for the creation of corneal flaps. The microkeratome is a hand-held steel blade that is only capable of making a single, one-dimensional cut across the cornea. As it cuts, the blade creates “drag”, which can leave a rough surface after the flap is lifted. This can affect the quality of the postoperative vision of the patient.

While LASIK complications are rare, when they do occur they are primarily related to the use of the microkeratome.

With the IntraLase Method, a blade never touches the eye of the patient and creates a smooth surface after flap is lifted. This may translate to better vision.

LASIK means Laser-Assisted Stromal In-situ Keratomileusis . This laser vision correction procedure, combines two proven techniques – Excimer laser photoablation and keratomileusis – for the correction of myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism (non-symmetrical curvature of the eye). Keratomileusis, or cutting of the cornea, has been performed for almost 40 years. It involves peeling a thin flap from the surface of the eye using only numbing eye drops. The Excimer laser is then used to reshape the eye under the protection of this flap. The flap is then returned to its place where it heals without the need for any sutures. This results in relatively rapid and painless correction of vision allowing both eyes to be corrected on the same day.

It is an outpatient treatment that uses a light beam to reshape the surface of the eye (the cornea) and improve vision. The light gently pulses to remove microscopic amounts of tissue, altering the curvature of the cornea and allowing visual images to be more focused on the retina.

Laser vision correction reduces or eliminates myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism and with it, the need for glasses or contact lenses.

The normal eye is a perfect sphere, where the cornea and lens focus light to form an image on the back inside surface of the eye, known as the retina. With nearsightedness (myopia), the cornea’s curvature is too steep for the shape of the eye. The light is focused in front of the retina, causing images of distant objects to appear blurry.

In a farsighted (hyperopia) eye, the image focuses beyond the retina. In our youth, the innate accommodating (focusing) power of the eyes often compensates for farsightedness. But as we age, our eyes become less able to accommodate. For this reason, farsightedness most commonly becomes a problem later in life. Many farsighted eyes do not need correction until the individuals reach their forties or fifties.

The cornea of the astigmatic eye has an uneven shape Incoming light focuses at multiple points instead of one. Laser vision correction with an excimer laser is now an FDA-approved option for people with astigmatism.

The cool beam of light gently reshapes the surface of the cornea, making it more like a normal eye. Light can then focus at the retina. It makes images on the retina clear, thereby improving vision.

Laser vision correction is an outpatient procedure that takes approximately minutes to complete for most patients. Your entire visit will be complete in about an hour. Anesthetic drops will be placed in your eye and you will be positioned under the laser. A retainer is used to gently and comfortably hold your eyelids open during the procedure. You will be asked to fixate on a blinking light for a minute or less. The doctor will view your eye directly through a surgical microscope to ensure that you are fixating properly and can pause at any time. Once finished, you get up, receive instructions from the staff, and rest for a few minutes. Afterward, you will go home and relax for several hours.

Currently, the FDA has approved laser vision correction for nearsightedness, astigmatism and farsightedness. Not every patient is a candidate. There are several factors to consider. Patients with high nearsightedness, astigmatism and farsightedness are not good candidates. There are certain eye and medical conditions which makes a patient not suitable for LASIK surgery. To get the process started, we recommend you call for a phone consultation with our patient counselor. If you have your eye glasses or contact lens prescription available, we can tell you if you are a potential candidate for laser refractive surgery.

Laser vision correction has been shown to reduce dependent glasses and contacts. Over 95% of our patients undergoing laser vision correction achieve 20/30 vision or better. We will be happy to review the potential benefits and risks of laser vision correction with you.

Laser vision correction has been shown to reduce dependent glasses and contacts. Over 95% of our patients undergoing laser vision correction achieve 20/30 vision or better. We will be happy to review the potential benefits and risks of laser vision correction with you.

You will be at the Surgery Center approximately 2-3 hours. The time in the LASIK ROOM with the surgeon is 15-20 minutes. The actual laser treatment time is approximately one minute per eye.

For many patients, LASIK is indeed painless. However, some patients experience some discomfort usually less than 24 hours after the procedure. The eyes may feel scratchy, gritty or watery. These are temporary symptoms and are not a problem for most patients. Keeping the eyes closed and using the medication as instructed minimize discomfort. Discomfort during the procedure, if any, usually happens when the suction ring of the microkeratome (the flap maker) is seated on the eyes. The suction can give the eye a pressure sensation.

Contact lenses can change the shape of the cornea similar to the way a watchband can make a skin imprint on your wrist. If you have your eyes examined too soon after taking out your contacts, some of the eye tests could give inaccurate results. You should discontinue wearing soft contact lenses 2 weeks prior to surgery. Rigid gas permeable contact lens wearers should discontinue wearing lenses three weeks prior to pre-operative measurements and surgery Our doctors will advise you if they suspect your corneas have not returned to their natural shape after removing your contact lenses.

Many patients notice improved vision immediately after the procedure, although it is normal to be somewhat blurred immediately after an operation. The next day, most patients have excellent vision and do not need any glasses or contacts. Patients continue to see gradual increase in their visual acuity during the first five to seven days after the surgery.

Refractive surgery is considered to be a permanent procedure. However, refractive surgery will not prevent any age-related conditions such as presbyopia (the need for reading glasses) and cataracts. In a small number of cases, eyes do change over time and develop a new prescription, but the effect of the laser on the pre-operative prescription is permanent.

Most insurance companies consider refractive surgery an elective surgery, and it is not usually a covered benefit. However, it is certainly worth checking with your insurance company, and we encourage you to call them.

Most patients return to their normal activities the day after the procedure. The doctor can give you more details on what you can expect when you come in for an evaluation.

Because the advanced technology associated with laser vision correction, both eyes are usually done at the same time.

While enjoying a very high success rate, refractive surgery is still surgery, and like all surgery there is some risk associated with LASIK. Our most important goal is your safety. Some potential complications include conditions such as dryness, complications making the surgical flap, night glare, over or under-correction, infection, and loss of best-corrected vision. Your surgeon will go over the potential risks with refractive surgery and measurement to avoid them. Be sure to have all your questions answered before having surgery.

Our patients are always seen the day following the procedure and then again on second post op day and after that depending on the need and convenience.